Blind Annuity

Financial Assistance for the Visually Impaired

New York State pays $1,100 annually to eligible blind veterans and eligible un-remarried spouses. The blind annuity is paid in monthly installments and is administered by the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs.

Who Is Eligible?

Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States

Active duty during specified war-time periods

Discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable

Meet the New York State standards of blindness

Veterans who are now, and continue to be residents of and continuously domiciled in New York State. (The continuous domicile requirement does not apply to annuitants whose claims were approved prior to June 1, 1958.)

What Military Service Qualifies?

A Veteran must have served 90 days active duty for other than training purposes. Less than 90 days is acceptable if discharged for a service-connected disability. Active duty during wartime service beginning, ending or during, the following periods are required.

World War I

April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918

World War II

December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946

Korean War

June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955

Vietnam Conflict

December 22, 1961 - May 7, 1975

Lebanon*

June 1, 1983 - December 1, 1987

Grenada*

October 23, 1983 - November 21, 1983

Panama*

December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990

Persian Gulf

August 2, 1990 - End of Hostilities

Operation Iraqi Freedom

March 14, 2003 – through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation

*Requires award of expeditionary medal for such service

The annuity also is payable to un-remarried spouses of deceased veterans who were receiving annuity payments (or were eligible to) at the time of their death, and are residents of and continuously domiciled in New York State.